I get perspectives from both sides, it's intriguing but also boring as hell.. After watching the first episode, I'm interested in learning about all the characters and the why of this whole situation. However, that's merely because the premise itself is interesting.
The writing or directing or acting is not doing that for me, just the set-up. The writing is dull, not saying bad but nothing that I'm like oooooo. Nothing that makes me want relate to characters, connect with them, like them. However, I've only completed one episode, I'll see if it becomes interesting.
The directing is fancy as hell, like I bet each episode is gonna be a Walmart parasite. In parasite, each shot conveyed a message about positions or society or the character's feelings.. but in this, I feel like majority is just beautiful shots. Like great angles, it looks pictures (albeit dull cause of the lack of colours), there are some shots trying to show how the character is feeling (like the effects of the drugs, the effect of his insomnia), but most is just for show. A good looking show. However, the director lags on these scenes, every shot just dragged. THANK GOD for the 1.5x function on Netflix or I would've never finished episode one.
I'm not saying the acting is bad, the two are fantastic actors. However, the roles are just boring. I'm sure there is a reason for their attitude on life, but it's really boring. Like where's your personality at? Like I was relieved to see her look afraid when he threw something at the chandelier, like damn she can be afraid, unlocked one emotion whoop whoop! I can't wait to see some more emotion in the future.
i'm commenting on your first paragraph- literally half of the problems in life could've been avoided if we did…
Yes, it's true its more or less the same for most dramas. My point is that it shouldn't be built on ridiculous misunderstandings. That's proof of poor writing. A plot shouldn't be built on some ridiculous reason and have it stretched out the whole show. I'll still eat it up every time, but I'm just pointing it out. This drama ain't that bad as I can still see why she'd act this way, leading to our plot.
There are some plots that could've been avoided if we did certain things or resolved misunderstandings but its okay that we didn't. One is example when shows have first encounters between leads be a series of misunderstandings, but that's fine when they are usually resolved within 3-4 episodes and the real reason they are entangled is another reason. It's happens so often in hollywood, there are meme youtube channels mocking it. One example is Home Alone, would a parent really leave their child alone? No, plot ended. However, Kevin was just "that kid" in the house, lowkey neglected, and they wanted other kids who felt that way to relate. Plot continue.
I totally get your point. I'm not saying like if only that serial killer never killed, we wouldn't have this serial killer show!! Just ones that feel silly, decisions by emotionally-dense characters usually.
I'm really liking the vibe and tension, I see the chemistry and cliches incoming and I'm all ready for it! I'm willing to ignore the forced premise of this show. What I mean is this whole show could be prevented if she just told him in the beginning rather than hide the fact she was kidnapped. How?
Well, he literally says in the beginning that there will be no negotiations with the kidnappers. And what happened, the victims were returned safely. Now he says that to the amateur kidnapper of his wife, why? It's a technique... If she studied his videos, wouldn't she be slightly familiar with how some of the negotiation related announcements go (I know it's not a situation that occurs often as spokesperson for blue house). Then when he gets home he's there trying to find this guy, cause despite the fact she appeared home safely (thinking he was lying), he clearly didn't like that joke about his wife! Even in this phone call, so many hints showing he definitely does care, and wouldn't want to be sent her corpse.
Despite this, I see how with their current dynamic it's hard to believe his words. And hearing the words on the phone call were probably so shocking and heart breaking, you didn't hear anything else, couldn't think straight. I hope she can quickly pick up he cares for her, maybe not love yet, but he isn't as big of an asshole as she thinks. One that would treat her life as nothing.
honestly I think she is one of the few actresses that can actually pull off dressing as a male. She just looks like a guy with feminine features, but I'd believe she's a man. Especially in that intern outfit.
She wasn't holding her, she was keeping her safe. Do you remember that her friend there said they killed the guy…
But she never truly did anything to Duawnwu with malicious intent. So of course, Duawnwu would wish the person who was secretly protecting her the whole time would go to heaven.
If heaven and hell is truly black and white, she shouldn't go to heaven. She definitely was a perpetrator in the crimes of the Cui family, hurt countless people. However, that was her unfortunate circumstance. In her position, she had no choice but to do as the Cui family wished. If she chose not to, she would die. She could choose to die rather than hurt people, but then someone else will take her place.. and nobody will be there to protect Duawnwu.
You how people love villains because of the idea that: heros will sacrifice you for the world, villains will destroy the world for you. Well so will mothers.
when she is talking to her mom talking about seeing her father above IS crazy cause her mama is not going to heaven…
She wasn't holding her, she was keeping her safe. Do you remember that her friend there said they killed the guy who got the letter. Lady Eight knew that if Dwanwu got the letter, she would be killed, not win her freedom. That's why she said that she wasn't the one who found the giant pearl. So she wasn't forcing her there. That's one instance, but I'm sure there are many like that in their past. She taught her how to read and write, do taxes, skills she can use once she is free.
They will have a break up. It’s shown in the trailer; over what we don’t know but I personally hope it doesn’t…
If it does take that long, I hope at least they can still have those angsty moments where they are like protecting each other but still hate each other, or he is chasing after her to get her forgiveness
I'm sure I'll watch it one day even if it isn't big on romance. I'm just into romance right now cause so many dramas with romance have lame characters or lame plot. I just want one that has everyone D:
It's so interesting to see Duanwu between our leads. She definitely knows both of them like her. She basically rejected ZJR by saying you will never be like me, even if you want to. You can never grow a mermaid tail. She looked so awkward when they offered her food lol I really appreciate these small acting moments. Most actors glide over these moments cause they're either dense as a rock or their character is meant to have zero personality. Not only Duanwu, but all of our leads have a personality!
Characters that usually have personality in shows are the supporting characters, they're the comedic relief or the depressed person going through hardships. But in this show everyone got not just a little but a lot of personality. I especially loved the carriage scene, it was a great scene to see their characters shine through a fun, simple interaction that adds nothing to the plot. You of course have the cliche jealousy moment with the marbles... but then you have him teasing/teaching her about the tea. Then she exposes him for needing to pee, and his reaction felt natural. He was embarrassed but he laughed about it.
I just wanted to share this cause I feel many Chinese dramas skip this. They just focus on the plot, never give you a chance to fall in love with a character, especially in modern dramas. I've been loving the acting in this drama so far, Lusi has really leveled up her game!
I am not American and there are also 194 other counties in the world. Don't care. I had a hard day's work and…
I don't either lol but it's entertaining. Also the results of this election affect more than just americans. I know you had a long day, but is it really disrupted just by a comment you didn't have to reply too haha??
What you have described is incredibly lonely. I hope she finds love and a haven from betrayal and despair.
exactly, its true that its hard to trust anyone in business, but there is always someone! He is nurturing her talent for business, if she can't trust him, someone who is kind of like a mentor to her, she literally can't trust anyone. That's not a good message to send out.
1 
The writing or directing or acting is not doing that for me, just the set-up. The writing is dull, not saying bad but nothing that I'm like oooooo. Nothing that makes me want relate to characters, connect with them, like them. However, I've only completed one episode, I'll see if it becomes interesting.
The directing is fancy as hell, like I bet each episode is gonna be a Walmart parasite. In parasite, each shot conveyed a message about positions or society or the character's feelings.. but in this, I feel like majority is just beautiful shots. Like great angles, it looks pictures (albeit dull cause of the lack of colours), there are some shots trying to show how the character is feeling (like the effects of the drugs, the effect of his insomnia), but most is just for show. A good looking show. However, the director lags on these scenes, every shot just dragged. THANK GOD for the 1.5x function on Netflix or I would've never finished episode one.
I'm not saying the acting is bad, the two are fantastic actors. However, the roles are just boring. I'm sure there is a reason for their attitude on life, but it's really boring. Like where's your personality at? Like I was relieved to see her look afraid when he threw something at the chandelier, like damn she can be afraid, unlocked one emotion whoop whoop! I can't wait to see some more emotion in the future.
There are some plots that could've been avoided if we did certain things or resolved misunderstandings but its okay that we didn't. One is example when shows have first encounters between leads be a series of misunderstandings, but that's fine when they are usually resolved within 3-4 episodes and the real reason they are entangled is another reason. It's happens so often in hollywood, there are meme youtube channels mocking it. One example is Home Alone, would a parent really leave their child alone? No, plot ended. However, Kevin was just "that kid" in the house, lowkey neglected, and they wanted other kids who felt that way to relate. Plot continue.
I totally get your point. I'm not saying like if only that serial killer never killed, we wouldn't have this serial killer show!! Just ones that feel silly, decisions by emotionally-dense characters usually.
Well, he literally says in the beginning that there will be no negotiations with the kidnappers. And what happened, the victims were returned safely. Now he says that to the amateur kidnapper of his wife, why? It's a technique... If she studied his videos, wouldn't she be slightly familiar with how some of the negotiation related announcements go (I know it's not a situation that occurs often as spokesperson for blue house). Then when he gets home he's there trying to find this guy, cause despite the fact she appeared home safely (thinking he was lying), he clearly didn't like that joke about his wife! Even in this phone call, so many hints showing he definitely does care, and wouldn't want to be sent her corpse.
Despite this, I see how with their current dynamic it's hard to believe his words. And hearing the words on the phone call were probably so shocking and heart breaking, you didn't hear anything else, couldn't think straight. I hope she can quickly pick up he cares for her, maybe not love yet, but he isn't as big of an asshole as she thinks. One that would treat her life as nothing.
If heaven and hell is truly black and white, she shouldn't go to heaven. She definitely was a perpetrator in the crimes of the Cui family, hurt countless people. However, that was her unfortunate circumstance. In her position, she had no choice but to do as the Cui family wished. If she chose not to, she would die. She could choose to die rather than hurt people, but then someone else will take her place.. and nobody will be there to protect Duawnwu.
You how people love villains because of the idea that: heros will sacrifice you for the world, villains will destroy the world for you. Well so will mothers.
Characters that usually have personality in shows are the supporting characters, they're the comedic relief or the depressed person going through hardships. But in this show everyone got not just a little but a lot of personality. I especially loved the carriage scene, it was a great scene to see their characters shine through a fun, simple interaction that adds nothing to the plot. You of course have the cliche jealousy moment with the marbles... but then you have him teasing/teaching her about the tea. Then she exposes him for needing to pee, and his reaction felt natural. He was embarrassed but he laughed about it.
I just wanted to share this cause I feel many Chinese dramas skip this. They just focus on the plot, never give you a chance to fall in love with a character, especially in modern dramas. I've been loving the acting in this drama so far, Lusi has really leveled up her game!
Kang Ju: well that's my cue!